Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, 36, reminded NFL fans that he was still one of the league’s best players during the 2025 season. Kansas City’s dream of a fourth Super Bowl title in seven seasons was extinguished by missing the playoffs altogether, but Kelce led the team with 76 receptions for 851 yards and tied for a team-high five touchdowns.
Kelce continued to be one of the NFL’s most influential figures off the field as well — beyond just his popular “New Heights” podcast and engagement to pop star Taylor Swift. In December, the Chiefs celebrated Kelce’s work in the community by naming him the club winner for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award for the second year in a row and third time in his career (2020, 2024, 2025).
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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas RaidersStephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
He beat out nominees from the other 31 teams in a fan vote to win the separate Nationwide Charity Challenge, netting a $35,000 donation to Operation Breakthrough, a local Kansas City charity he works with through his Eighty-Seven and Running Foundation.
All three times Kelce has been the Chiefs’ finalist for the NFL’s most prestigious award, he has won the fan vote and secured the charitable donation.
But when the leaguewide winner was announced at the NFL Honors on Thursday, the 11-time Pro Bowler missed out for the third time, and the second year in a row.
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The 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award went to Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner, a four-time nominee across three different teams in three different cities throughout his legendary career.
One of Wagner’s greatest accomplishments was creating the FAST54 Phenia Mae Fund. The fund helps stroke patients while promoting stroke education, honoring his mother, Phenia Mae Wagner, who died from stroke complications years before the Seattle Seahawks drafted him in 2012.
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“I cannot be up here and not talk about my mom,” Wagner said in his acceptance speech. “She is and will forever be my rock. She’s the reason why I’m standing up here. She’s the person who had confidence in me when I didn’t even have confidence in myself.”
Wagner’s win meant Kelce was not able to take home the massive $250,000 donation awarded to a charity of the winner’s choice, but that does not dilute the Chiefs star’s passion for making a difference in the Kansas City area.
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“It has made me a better person and made me a better man knowing that I can influence the community and the kids in my community,” Kelce said in a video featuring the 32 finalists. “I just don’t know any other way.”
Kelce, a free agent this offseason, has yet to announce whether he will retire or return for another NFL season in 2026. Regardless of his decision, Kelce has proven this year and throughout his career that his impact goes far beyond football.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.